Ahhhh….autumn is in the air. Crisp, sunny days that are perfect for family outings. In these tough economic times, are you looking for fall activities that are not cost prohibitive? Is it hard to think of ideas that appeal to your four-year-old as well as your teen?

Here are a few thought starters:

· Locate a nearby orchard and plan an apple-picking afternoon. The back of your Ford SUV is a perfect place to transport bushels of apples.

· Now that you have an abundance of fruit, invite friends over for a day of making apple butter or all American apple pies. Even the youngest of your crew can get excited about making – and eating — caramel apples.

· Plan a leaf raking party. Nothing says fall like kids jumping into a pile of colorful leaves. And all that leaf material makes great compost, so if you can’t use it in your own yard, fill up the back of your Ford Truck and transport the matter to a community garden.

· With Halloween coming, now is the time to find the perfect pumpkin. Visit a farmer’s patch near you and pick out your choice for a charming jack-o-lantern. Buy several smaller pumpkins so your kids can each decorate their own.

· Pack a picnic lunch and take a road trip out to the countryside. Many Ford Vehicles offer great gas mileage, so the drive will stay within your budget.

· If your kids are older, a hike would be a great family experience. Spending time together in the fresh air and getting exercise is an added benefit. No cell phones or I-Pods allowed.

· This time of year you can find a fair or festival just about every weekend. Church bazaars and community events offer something for everyone – food, games, crafts, hayrides – what’s not to like.

Don’t let autumn get away without taking advantage of all the possibilities for fun activities. Before you know it, it will be cold and dreary and you will be wishing you had picked a pumpkin, navigated a corn field maze or hosted a harvest potluck.